Science Under Siege

“An impassioned critique… a call to action for scientists to get more involved in the political process and for concerned citizens to pay attention to the dangers of antiscience rhetoric.”–Publishers Weekly“In compelling detail…the authors provide a clear, persuasive road map…The result is an empowering work in a world that can often feel lost to untruths.”–Kirkus“Climate change and cyberattacks threaten our very survival, but an even more insidious force is eating democracy from within: disinformation. Propagandists, lobbyists, and political operatives have hijacked science, turning fact into fiction until millions of Americans reject the reality of climate change–even as wildfires rage, oceans rise, and the planet becomes increasingly uninhabitable. In Science Under Siege, Michael Mann and Peter Hotez expose the machinery behind these deadly lies and call us to fight back–before truth itself becomes collateral damage.”–Nicole Perlroth, New York Times-bestselling author of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends“In our dark times, as we face a frontal assault on science, two revered scientists–Drs. Mann and Hotez–exemplify the warriors courageously speaking truth to power despite serious attacks.”–Eric Topol, author of Deep Medicine“In standing up for evidence and truth, Drs. Mann and Hotez exemplify the citizen scientists who have been integral to making our country healthier, more sustainable, and–yes–great. Science Under Siege informs us of the peril of not combatting attacks on science and scientists, and urges all of us who care about our shared future to join the fight.”–Chelsea Clinton, vice chair, Clinton Foundation and Clinton Health Access Initiative“Science is indeed under siege, and that’s not good for any of us. Here, Peter Hotez and Michael Mann name names. They describe the role of Russia; the Supreme Court Justices, who’ve lost sight of the forest for the disappearing trees; and the like-minded officials who promote nutty conspiracy theories. It’s not too late to do something; it’s time to get things done. Read on.”–Bill Nye, science educator“The vicious and unprincipled war on science is escalating on all fronts. Now two of our most distinguished scientists, who have both been subjected to abuse and threats for their diligence and work, have documented in devastating detail the forces undermining our efforts against climate change and deadly diseases. A must-read if you care about the planet and humanity.”–Norman J. Ornstein, coauthor of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks“Once upon a time, scientists could assume that people would take their hard work, believe it, and put it to use. No longer–as Michael Mann and Peter Hotez make painfully clear, a concentrated assault by special interests has made the work of science painful and perilous. Science Under Siege is a well-researched guide and offers some powerful ideas about how to fight back.”–Bill McKibben, author of Here Comes the Sun

Michael E. Mann is presidential distinguished professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He is director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media. He contributed to the award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences in 2020. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Peter J. Hotez is dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he is also the codirector of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development. He is an elected member of the US National Academy of Medicine and, in 2022, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the COVID-19 vaccine. He lives in Houston, Texas.